Children of Inmates Archives — Breakaway Outreach

29May, 2020

Summer Camp and Outreach Initiatives for Prisoners’ Kids

They are often referred to as “hidden victims.” They face a host of challenges and difficulties: psychological trauma, depression, stigmas of shame, antisocial behavior, family tension, economic hardship, and the high risks of being vacuumed into a cycle of intergenerational criminal activity. They are the 2.7 million children in our country who have been affected by having a parent—or both—in prison.

Fourteen years ago, Breakaway Outreach launched our inaugural summer camp for children of prisoners, beginning with thirteen kids in the Great Smoky Mountains. As this VBS-style overnight adventure camp has expanded to serve a myriad of at-risk and disadvantaged children over the years, our primary focus has predominantly been serving children affected by parental or sibling incarceration. Prisoners’ children make up about 90% of our camper population. This transformative ministry has fostered resilience in kids facing hardship and has been an instrument of healing for entire families.

We believe this 14^th year of camp ministry will be even more impactful than ever, as we serve children of inmates across 11 counties in East Tennessee with an updated and innovative strategy for 2020. Our “Summer of Hope” initiatives include serving children of inmates (and their families) through a modified camp experience and our “VIP” birthday blessings program. We believe that no child should have to face hardship alone this summer. This is the conviction that fuels our bold initiatives in an hour when pandemic, discord, civil unrest, and anguish hovers over our communities like a cloud of despair. BUT the Gospel is not on “lockdown,” and we have opportunities to make a difference!

Ways you can get involved:

Sponsor a child (family): When you give to this ministry it’s not just about making a donation, it’s about making a difference. A gift of any amount will empower a child this summer and remind families they are not alone in these difficult times. You can make a secure online donation here.
Volunteer: Come out and serve at one of our VIP birthday parties for kids. Send us a private message about specific details.
Pray: Your prayers make a difference. Pray for doors to be open to the “word,” and for gospel clarity as we minister to many families in distress (Colossians 4:2-4). Sign up to receive our monthly prayer letter to get more detailed updates and to hear stories/testimonies of impact.

Thank you for partnering with Breakaway Outreach to empower children through communities of faith, hope, and love.

9Jan, 2019

International Prisoner’s Family Conference

The InterNational Prisoner’s Family Conference was initiated in 2009 to address critical issues of those affected by incarceration personally and/or professionally. The conference has attracted attendees from across the country and abroad.

WHEN: OCTOBER 16, 17 & 18, 2019 DALLAS, TEXAS CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION INFO

THE CONFERENCE GOAL

The conference goal is to strengthen the entire prison family and promote successful reentry and reunification, reducing the rate of recidivism by providing critical connections, information and resources for families and secular and faith based organizations serving prisoners and their families.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Like most conferences, this one features dynamic knowledgeable speakers and provides opportunities to learn best practice approaches and exchange creative ideas, but it is so much more. It offers such amazing opportunities to network and receive and provide encouragement and support that it has even been described as “magical!” However, the “magical” part of this conference is intangible and cannot be fully understood without actually being there. But here are some of the tangible highlights:

Families – The conference offers prison family members the opportunity to meet and share with other family members experiencing similar concerns. Participants build many lasting friendships for on-going support and encouragement.

InterNational Experts – Participate in the largest international conference specifically addressing issues relevant to all prison families. Learn from the private and public, secular and faith based sectors, including criminal justice; social service; academia; ministry and others serving the prisoner and their family and from prison family members themselves, including successfully reintegrated former prisoners.

One on One Meetings – You will have ample opportunity to meet and share ideas and information with other attendees from various non-profits, federal, state and local agencies and faith-based organizations, as well as members of prison families from across the country and even internationally. This allows for discussion of potential collaborations.

Exhibitors Showcase – Speakers, attendees and sponsors showcase services and offer resource materials and literature. This event engages a wide variety of secular and faith-based organizations serving prisoners, family members and experts in the field.

Prisoners Fine Art Display & Silent Auction – Attendees have the opportunity to vote on the winners of the annual conference prisoners’ fine art competition, as well as to view the exceptional works of artists behind bars. The small art works are available for silent auction, and winning attendees will take home a lovely memory of the conference.

Social Networking – Social networking will help you connect with many participants prior to and following the conference by simply “liking” the Prisoner’s Family Conference Facebook page. You may also follow us on Twitter by connecting with #PrisonersFC.

Advocacy Participation – The conference Advocacy in Action Coalition meetings offer those with significant concerns about criminal justice at any and all levels the opportunity to engage in actively advocating for needed change. Uniting to voice concerns strengthens each individual voice and possibilities for change.

International Network for Children with Incarcerated Parents – Meet with caring individuals from around the world, working to improve the conditions for children.

Professionals– Those employed throughout the criminal justice system, as well as college and university students preparing for careers that will place them in contact with prisoners and prison family members have a special opportunities for facilitated discussion and meetings with those most directly impacted by the criminal justice system.

11Aug, 2016

Resources for Children of Inmates

Resources for Children of Incarcerated Parents

How to Help a Child When Their Parent is in Jail

Do you have a loved one in Jail? Support for children with incarcerated parents can be found here with books on how to help, support and care for them.

What is most commonly thought about when a loved one goes to prison?

Most of the time the focus is towards the person in prison, whilst for others, coping with and the strain of having that person in jail can be immense.

Why should we support children of inmates?

Children especially need help during this time when their Dad is in jail or any close family member. They will find it hard to understand why this person they love so much has been taken away from them. Their daily routines will change and relationships with other people and friends may be affected.

This is a time that not just the parents, but the children, need all the love and support they can get. They have been put in a vulnerable state due to no fault of their own. The physiological impact can be immense and help during this stressful time is absolutely necessary to continue with a happy childhood.

Children of Incarcerated Parents Statistics

How many children in America have a parent in Prison?

The number of children with incarcerated parents is growing.

According to a study by the Pew Charitable Trusts (2010), more than 2.7 million children in the United States have a parent in prison or jail.

What are some of the consequences of having a parent in jail without good structured help?

With a parent in jail they are innocent victims who often themselves end up in the same circumstances as their parents. Sometimes suffering from social behavior issues, and often turning to a life of drugs and crime.

Parental incarceration has a direct effect on young adults. During this time it is vital that they get the help, support and advise and understanding they need for a healthily balanced and mental lifestyle.

Breakaway Outreach provides summer camp adventures for children of incarcerated parents, year-round mentoring relationships, and support ministries for families affected by having a loved one behind bars.

Resources on how to help a child of incarcerated parents:

My Daddy Is in Jail: Story, Discussion Guide, and Small Group Activities for Grades K-5 “My Daddy is in Jail” is a resource for helping children cope with the incarceration of a loved one. This book includes a read-aloud story, discussion guide, caregiver advise and optional group theropy activities. With the aid of this book, along with professionals, and other caring adults, parents will find themselves better equipped to provide information and support to their children and their families.

Empowering Children of Incarcerated Parents This book is for social workers, psychologists, counsellors and teachers who work with children ages 7-12 who have a parent who is in jail. The book is designed to help create support groups. Each chapter includes a brief review plus help and advise for additional support. Covers areas for discussion, fictional letters between a boy and his incarcerated father, activities, and worksheets.

All Alone in the World: Children of the Incarcerated In this “moving condemnation of the U.S. penal system and its effect on families” (Parents’ Press), award-winning journalist Nell Bernstein takes an intimate look at parents and children—over two million of them—torn apart by our current incarceration policy. Described as “meticulously reported and sensitively written” by Salon, the book is “brimming with compelling case studies … and recommendations for change” (Orlando Sentinel); Our Weekly Los Angeles calls it “a must-read for lawmakers as well as for lawbreakers.”

Loving Through Bars: Children with Parents in Prison An estimated 2.3 million children in the United States have a parent in prison-children whose lives are filled with a unique kind of instability and uncertainty. These children are themselves victims of their parents’ crimes, members of a neglected segment of our population who are potentially damaged by stigma and shame and who are at risk of being pulled into a vicious cycle of future criminality and deviant social behavior. Such children are child prisoners-kids who must learn to understand living and loving through bars.

Children of Incarcerated Parents: A Handbook for Researchers and Practitioners A book explaining that kids with parents in prison are more likely to experience learning difficulties, poor health, and substance abuse, and eventually have an increased chance of becoming incarcerated themselves. Addressing the issues and needs of youth with imprisoned parents from child welfare, health care, and education perspectives.

Category Archives: Children of Inmates